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Klinsmann backs his troops

By Thomas Zeh

Jurgen Klinsmann was quick to back his team despite Germany's disappointing Confederations Cup performance in the narrow 4-3 win over Group A underdogs Australia.

The&nbsp;Socceroos dominated large parts of the game, inspired by the hard work of Tim Cahill and Josip Skoko in midfield, while the Germans appeared vulnerable in defence throughout the game as only full back Per Mertesacker left a positive impression.

"It was very important that we got off to a winning start and got the three points," said Klinsmann.&nbsp;

"We have a young team which tried to keep the pace up and, if you do so, you obviously commit some mistakes.

"Most of the&nbsp;Australians play in the English Premiership and are used to high-tempo football, while we were a bit nervous in the beginning and made a couple of individual mistakes.

"We are all angry about these mistakes, but you have to give the guys credit for getting back to their feet and starting to take the ball forward.

"It's important that we find our rhythm for the next game and then we&nbsp;can take on Tunisia."

Klinsmann decided to focus mainly on the positives to come out of the game, however Mertesacker who scored his debut goal for Germany, admitted that the hosts were fortunate to escape with all three points.

"We just did enough to win and the Australians were extremely efficient up front," the young Hannover defender stressed.

&nbsp;"They took most of their chances, while we struggled to stop them as they constantly troubled our rearguard."